UNIT 2 CLEANING AND GRADING

Structure
2.0 Objectives
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Cleaning Operation For Grain, Nuts. and Seeds
2.3" Factors Controlling the Cleaning Operation-Size.Shape,
Specific Gravity and Surface Characteristics
2.4 Selection of Machines
2.5 Aerodynamics of Small Particles, Methods of Separation-Colour,
, Specific Gravity, Weight, Screening, Type of Screens (Revolving, Rotary,
Vibratory, Horizontal and Perforated etc.), Effectiveness of Screens.
2.6 Manual and Mechanical Grading
2.7 Efficiency of Cleaners and Graders
2.8 Pneumatic Separators
2.9 Spiral Separators
2.10 Cyclone Separators
2.11 Let Us Sum Up
. 2.12 Key Words
2.13 Some Useful References
2.14 Answers to Check Your Progress

2.0 'OBJECTIVES
After reading this unit you should be able to:
• understand principles of cleaning and grading'
• know factors affecting cleaning and grading operation
• leam principles of separation and grading
• understand screening and its principles
• leam about efficiency of cleaners and graders
• learn about pneumatic and spiral separators
• .know about cyclone separators'

2.1 INTRODUCTION
Cleaning and grading are the first and most important post harvest operations
undertaken to remove foreign and undesirable materials from the threshed crops
and grains and also to separate the grains into various fractions. Cleaning in .
agricultural processing generally means the removal of foreign and undesirable
matters from the desired grains/products. This may be accomplished by washing,
screening.hand picking etc. Grading refers to the classification of cleaned products
into various quality fractions depending upon the various commercial values and
other usage. Sorting refers to the separation of cleaned product into various quality
fractions that may be defined on the basis of size, shape, density, texture and colour.
Scalping refers to the removal of few large particles in an initial process. This unit
covers the principles of cleaning and grading of crops, its mechanism and machines
used for the operation. 17
Post Harvest Management
2.2 ,CLEANING OPERATION FOR GRAIN, NUTS AND
SEEDS
The grain stock consists of grains of the main crop, other plants and admixture of
various contaminants of mineral and organic origin. The main crop may include
grains, which are wholesome or damaged (mechanically or biologically) or shriveled
and underdeveloped. During cleaning other materials are removed from the grain
stock while in grading the cleaned grains are sorted into seed material, food stock,
forage and industrial grains; Each of these groups is governed by special qua1ity
specifications: In most cases cleaning and grading is done simultaneously. The choice
of equipment for mechanicai cleaning and grading is governed by the physical and
mechanical properties ofthe grain material. The comparative commercial ,value of
agricultural products is dependent on their grade factors. These grade factors further
depend upon: Physical characteristics like size, shape, moisture content, colour etc.,
Chemical characteristics like odour, free fatty acid content and biological factors
like insect damag~ and germination in case of seeds.

2.3 FACTORS CONTROLLING THE CLEANING

OPERATION-SIZE, SHAPE, SPECIFIC GRAVITY
AND SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS
The differences between crop material and the contaminants in physico-mechanical
properties are used to clean rand grade grains. These properties include;
1. Grains size (length, width, thickness)
2. .Mass of grain (bulk density, difference in weight)
3.. Nature and properties of surface
4. Shape
5-. Aerodynamic properties
6. Surface texture
7. Colo~ ,I
8. Electromagnetic properties
9. Affinity for liquid Seed Conductivity

Grain size: The size of grains can be determined by direct measure using special
scales or a caliper. Grain length, width and thickness are noted for grains to obtain
an average representingthe lot. Important deviations exist among varieties.

Shape: It defines the form of an object. Based on longitudinal and cross sections
ofthe grains, its shape is compared with standard shapes. The grains may be round,
oblate, oblong, conic, ovate, obviate, elliptical, truncate, unequal, ribbed, regular
or irregular shaped.

Equivalent diameter and sphericity: Equivalent diameter is the geometric mean

of three dimensions viz; length, width and thickness. Sphericity is defined as the
ratio of surface area having same volume as that of grain to-the surface area of the
gram.

Thousand-grain weight: The weight of thousand grains (as-is basis) is defined

as the weight of 1000 grains including their water content· at the time of
determination. It is determined using the method described by BIS as IS: 4333
18
 (part IV)- i968. This characteristic is thus influenced by water-content variations. Cleaning and Grading

In certain cases, it is referred to as the "thousand dry-grain weight" when grains

are supposedly dried out. This must be mentioned with the numerical results
obtained.

Hectoliter weight: The natural hectolitermass of grains is defined as the apparent

volumetric mass of grains as they fill a' container of known volume including the
natural inter-granular space. This characteristic is measured in a fast and easy way,
conventional but normalized. The result is expressed in kilograms per hectoliter,

Angle of repose: It is considered an important property in design of grain bins,

silos and other storage structu!es. When the grain is allowed to flow freely from a
point into a pile, the angle, which the side of the pile makes with horizontal plane,
is called angle of repose.

Dielectric properties: Dielectric properties of grains vary widely and are

dependent upon many factors relating to quality. Electrical properties of agricultural
. material depend heavily on their moisture content and the nature of water held.
Chemically bound water exerts less influence on the dielectricproperties than the
free water in which polar molecules can orient freely with an applied electric field.
Both dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor increase with moisture content
of a product and decrease with frequency. There may be linear relationship between
dielectric properties of'particulate materials and their densities, especially, bulk
density but not particle density.

Separation of grain mix according to the particle size is the most widely used method
for cleaning and grading. The size of a grain is specified by its length, width and
thickness, where the largest dimension is the length, the intermediate dimension the
.width and the smallest dimension the thickness. The variational series or the
variational curve constituted from large-scale measurement data for the grain under
consideration serves as the variability index of one or the other dimension over
the entire population.

The absolute mass ofthe grains is characterized by the mass of 1000 grains reduced
to that of dry product. The density of a grain is given by

P=m/V

Where m is the mass of grain and V is its volume.

Cleaning and grading according to the grain density is widely used in pneumatic
grading boards. The grain stock.is delivered to an inclined sieving board, which
executes a reciprocating motion. Air is blown from below the board. Heavy grains
gravitate downward while lighter ones raise to the surface.

Among the aerodynamic properties the most important is its critical velocity at which
the grains are held in suspension in a flowing medium. It is also known as terminal
velocity of the grain. If a thin layer of grain mass and contaminants with different
terminal velocities are subjected to an air stream of a given velocity, those particles
with a smaller terminal velocity would be blown farther away.

Differences in the/friction coefficient of grains over a surface are used to separate

grain mixes on belt and canvas cleaners. The angle of inclination of the canvas
19
Post Harvest Management cleaner and grader is seiecrec so mat coarse grains, which have a large fflction
angle, slide downward.

Differences in electric conductivity, dielectric permeability, polarizability and the

ability to be electrically charged and discharged may serve as the basis for using
electrical methods of separating grain mixtures.

Differences in colour of grains are, also used for separating the grain mixtures. The
mud balls,. foreign matters and immature or diseased grains have different colour
than mature grains. Based on sensing the grain colour, the grains can be separated .

.,

2.4 SELECTION OF MACHINES

It is very difficult to clearly differentiate among the processes of cleaning, grading
and separation because all of these are carried out simultaneously with the common
procedures, The operation of cleaning, grading and separation of the products are
performedby exploiting the difference in engineering properties ofthe materials.
The appropriate machine is selected based on the fact that differences in the identified
properties of grain and admixture is more as well as based on the end 'Use of the
product. These products may be used either for food or seed purposes. Various
types of cleaning, grading and separation equipment have been designed and
developed on the basis of properties of product" to be handled. These machines
separate the impurities of specific types as described below ..
1. Screen cleaner cum grader.It performs the separation according to the size
alone. The mixture of grain and foreign matter is dropped on a screening
surface, which is vibrated either manually or mechanically. A single screen can
make separation irito two fractions. The screening unit may be composed of
two or more screens as per the cleaning requirement.
2. Air-screen cleaner cum grader: The screens used in combination with air
blast performs better cleaning and separation operation for most of the grains.
The air screencleaner cum grader usesjhree cleaning systems; blowing or
aspiration, scalping screens and grading lower screens. The air screen cleaner
cum grader can be classified into two distinct types: (i) Vibratory screen in
which screens are tightened together and suspended by hangers in such a
manner that these have horizontal oscillating motio~ and slightly vertical motion.
These two motions in combination mo,,":ethe grain down the screen and at the
same time toss the grain sufficiently above the screen to stir the grain. (ii) Rotary
screen, which consists of circular decks. It rotates in circular motion in a
horizontal plane. These have/either singleor double drum(s).
t

3. Cellular surface separator: The criteria for mechanical separation of grains

on cellular surfaces is length of the grain corresponding to which cell size, its
diameter is selected. Theworking component ofthis grader is honeycombed
surf~ce while its working element is cell. The cells trap the grain mass delivered '
{' 10 a moving cellular surfacearid grains of different lengths are trapped in
different ways. Small, short grains; which can be completely enclosed in the
cells, are more likely to be trapped than longer ones, which may not fit in them.
4. Spiral Separator: It separates the grains as per their roundness. The round
material of mixture while flowing through a screw conveyor pick up speed as
they roll down the inclined surface until centrifugal force becomes sufficient
enough to throw them in the outer helix:
5. Specific gravity separator: It makes separation according to difference in
20 r- density or specific gravity of the materials. It works on two principles, (i) the
 Cleaning' and Grading
characteristics of the grains to flow down over inclined surface, (ii) the floatation
of the particle due to upward movement of air. During downward movement
011a perforated deck, lighter materials are lifted to the top of stratified mass
whereas the air does not lift the heavier particle. The stratified mass moves
along the direction of conveyance due to oscillating motion of the deck.
6. Destoner: It is a form of specific gravity separator. It separates the grain mass
into two fractions as per the difference.in specific gravity. It consists of a
perforated deck. The air coming through the deck from bottom stratifies the
materials while the reciprocating action of the deck separates the heavy material
fr0111lighter particles. The heavier material moves upward while' the lighter
material flows downward. This machine is only used when stones and heavy
impurities are present in the grain.
7. Inclined draper: The separation by inclined belt draper takes place due to
. difference in shape and surface texture of the material. This technique is used
only when all other methods of separation fail.
8. Velvet roll separator: It is also called roll mill. It separates grains on the basis .
of differences in shape and surface texture. It is a finishing machine and should
.~be used only after cleaning and separation ofgrain from chaff and trash. It is
m
effective separating grain with a rough seed coat or sharp angles from smooth
surface grain.
9. Pneumatic separator: It is based on the differences in aerodynamic properties
of the various constituents of the mixture. The aerodynamic properties of a
particle depend upon its shape, size, density, surface and orientation with respect
to air current.
10. Separation based on fluidization technique: The fluidized bed cleaner!
separator makes the classification ofthe seed due to difference in density and
size. It is suitable for cleaning lighter seeds like cabbage, radish, lettuce, carrot,
onion etc. Airflow rate plays important role during separation of the grain.
11. Magnetic separator: It performs separation based on surface texture and
stickiness properties of the grain. Since the grains do not contain any free iron,
therefore, are not attracted to magnet. A selective pretreatment of mixing finely
ground iron powder to feed mass given to the grain causes iron powder adheres
to rough. cracked, broken and sticky seed coats. On application of magnetic
field the material having iron powder is separated.
12. Colour Separator: It is specifically used for grains of high commercial value .
. It separates the grains due' to difference in colour or brightness. Seeds differ
in colour because of varietal differences and also due to immaturity or disease.
The mud balls and discoloured or defective seeds can be removed with the
help of ~lectronic separator.

While selecting a machine following points should.be considered.

1. The machine should ensure a reduction in labour expended on unit production.
2. Differences in the physical and mechanical properties of the seeds. Machines
based on only those properties should be selected where difference in property
is more in grain and foreign matter .
. 3. Depending upon the end use of the grain like for seed purpose, commercial
use, food use, feed use etc.
4. For high value crops, specific machines of low capacity may be selected
whereas for low ..alue grains higher capacity machine'tan oe"used. .
t ~ "'! • • \

21
 ). rtant capacity ana plant SIze.
6. Type of foreign matter present in the mixture.

•.. 2.5 AERODYNAMICS OF SMALL PARTICLES,

.METHODS OF SEPARATION~ COLOUR,
SPECIFIC GRAVITY, WEIGHT, SCREENING,
TYPE OF SCREENS (REVOLVING, ROTARY,
VIBRATORY, HORIZONTAL AND PERFORATED
ETC~), EFFECTIVENESS OF SCREENS
. .
Aerodynamic properties: The aerodynamic properties of grain include critical!
terminal velocity, drag coefficient and sailing-velocity. Grain separation by an air
stream is based on the differences among these properties.
..
Terminal velocity: The terminal velocity of a particle may be defined as equal to
the air velocity at which a particle remains in suspended state in a vertical pipe. In
.this condition, after attaining the terminal velocity, if the density ofthe particle is .
greater than the density ofthe fluid, the particle will move downward. If the density
of the particle is-lesser than the density of the fluid, the particle will rise upward.
Terminal velocity of a particle can be calculated using following equation,

2mg(pp - Pr)
(ppPrAp C)
Where
VI terminal velocity, m/s
C overall drag coefficient
g acceleration due to gravity, m/s'
m . mass of particle, kg
Pp density of particle, kg/m'
Pr density of fluid, kg/m'
Ap projected area of the particle in perpendicular direction o~motion, m2

The drag coefficient of the material and its resistance to air flow depends upon
1. Bed thickness of the material
2. Type, shape and size of grain
3. Air velocity
4. Orientation and packing of the material

Colour Separation; Colour is one of the finest indices of the quality of agricultural
produce, Unlike other sorting methods, the production process of grain separation
by colour requires the material to be delivered)O the monitoring device as a
successive chain of grains one following the-other at some specific speed so that
. the transducer can signal the actuating mechanism and the latter releases the grain
from the flow. Colour sorting mainly uses the difference between the reflective
properties of grains over some specific portion of spectrum where these differences
are great.

In colour sorter, the material to be sorted is delivered in such a way that seeds
move in single file. These seeds are thrown in to a lighted optical chamber which
22 houses two photo elements, a standard calibrating screen and an electrode needle.
 r arucies, wrncn are enner ugnter or cancer man me COlouror me screen, mauce a
signal in the photo element. After its amplification the signal in the amplifier switches
on the high voltage circuit resulting in a corona discharge between needle electrode '
and the corona electrode. The instant at which photo element discriminates a
particle by colour and its charging practically coincide. The charged particles deflect ...
,from the rjatural trajectory to fall and separation takes place. In some machines
air stream is used to deflect the particles.

Specific gravity separation: The specific grayity separator makes the separation
according to the difference in specific gravity of the material. The machine consists
of a triangular shape perforated deck. The deck is properly baffled underneath to
ensure uniform distribution ofthe air over it. The pressure or terminal velocity of
the air rising through the deck is controllable very closely within a wide range. The
mixture of grain is fed into the feed box. The air is blown up through the porous
deck surface and bed of the grain by a fan at such a rate that the material is
practically lifted from contact with deck surface. The lightest materials are lifted to
the top of the stratified mass. The air does not lift the heavier particles.' Thestratified
mass moves along the direction of conveyance due to oscillating motion ofthe deck
and is discharged at the right edge of deck.

Screening: Screening is a method of separating grain! seed into two or more '
fractions according to size alone. For cleaning and separation of seeds, the most
widely used device is screen. When solid particles are dropped over a screen, the
particles smaller than the size of screen openings pass through it, whereas larger
particles are retained over the screen or sieve. A single screen can' thus make
separation into two fractions. When the feed is passed through a set of different
sizes of sieves, it is separated into different fractions according to the size of
openings of sieves. Screens along with an air blast (air screen) can satisfactorily
clean and sort most of the granular materials. The screens are generally suspended
by hangers, and when this unit is oscillated by an eccentric unit they have a
horizontal oscillating motion and at the same time a smaller vertical motion. These
two motions cause grains to travel downward to the screen and at the same time
the grains are thoroughly stirred during the passage.

Types of screens: In most screens the grain! seed drops through the screen
opening by gravity. Coarse grains drop quickly and easily through large opening in
a stationary surface. With finer particles, the screening surface must be agitated in ,
some way. The common ways are, (1) revolving a cylindrical screen about a
horizontal axis and (2) shaking, gyrating or vibrating the flat screens.

GI'~ly: The grizzly is a simple device consisting of a grid made up of metal bars,
usually built on a slope, across which the material is passed. The path ofmaterial
flow is parallel to the length of bars. The bars are usually so shaped that the top is
wider than the bottom. The grizzly is often constructed in the form of a short endless
belt so that the oversize is dumped over the end while the sized material passes
through. In this case bar length is transverse to the path of materials. The grizzly is
used for coarsest and rough separations.

Revolvlng screen/cylinder sorter: Trammel or revolving screen is a cylinder that

rotates about its longitudinal axis. The wall of the cylinder is made of perforated
steel plate or sometime the cloth wire on a ft:ame, through which the material falls
, us the screen rotates. The axis of cylinder is inclined along with the feed end to
the discharge end. Sizing is achieved by having smallest opening screen a~the feed
23
Post HarX,csl Management end with progressively larger opening screens towards the discharge end. This type .
of sorter is simple and compact with no vibration problem. But t~e capacity of
cylinder sorter is lesser than vibrating screen of same size. Although it is an accurate
sizer, it does not perform well with friable material or in cases where particle
degradation is undesirable because tumbling produces some autogeneous grinding.
The speed of rotation of the trammel is to be kept within the limit at which the
material is carried from bottom to a distance equal to the radius of cylinder before
it starts tumbling. The inclination of cylinder sorter for dry granular materials is kept
up to 125 mm/m. Thecapacity, bed depth and efficiency of these screens can be
changed by changing the speed of operation and the inclination of cylinder, Effective
screening area not the total surface area of cylinder is calculated by multiplying
the length of cylinder by 113 ofthe diameter.

Shaking screen: Like the vibrating screen.shaker is a rectangular surface over

, which raptorial moves down on an inclined plane. Motion of the screen is back
and forth in a straight line. Although in some cases vibration is also given ts>the
~creen. Unlike the.vibratingscreen, the shaker does not tumble or turn material
enroute except that some shaking screens have a step-off between surfaces having
different size openings, so that there may be two or three tumbles over the-full
length of the screen. The shaker is widely used as combined screen and conveyor
for many types of bulk material.

Rotary screen: Rotary and gyratory screens are either circular or rectangular
decked. Their motion is ahnost circular and affects sifting action. These are capable
of accurate a complete separation of very fine sizes but their capacity is limited.
These screens are further classified into two categories. .
1. Gyratory screens: This is generally a single decked machine. It has horizontal
plane motion, which is circular at feed end and reciprocating at the discharge
end the drive mechanism is at the feed end and is either a V-belt or direct
coupling.
The shaft that imparts motion to the screen is a counter balanced eccentric.
The shaft moves about a vertical axis. At the discharge end most rotary screens
have linkage to the base frame, usually a self-aligning bearing. Gyratory screens
open with screening surface nearly horizontal.
2. Circular screens: These are also rotary screens but their motion in horizontal
plane is circular over the entire surface ..Similar to the gyratory screens, the
screening surface of circular. screens is also little bit tilted for allowing the
. material to move over them.

Vibratory screen: an eccentric unit agitates the vibratory screens. When'materials

to be separated are put on a vibratory screen, because of its vibration, materials
are also agitated and separated during their transit over the screen. The eccentricity
is usually of two types, (1) a shaft to which off center weights are attached, and
(2).a shaft that itself is eccentric or off centered. In the later case the eccentricity
is balanced by a flywheel for providing uniform vibration. Most vibrating screens
are inclined downward from the feed end. Vibration is provided to the screen
assembly only, and the body and other surrounding structure, are isolated from
vihration. Generally, up to three decks are used in vibrating screens, The capacity
of vibrating screen is higher than any other similar sized screen and is very popular
for cleaning and grading of granular agricultural produets.

Horizontal screen: Horizonta1..screens are special case of,vibrating screen. These

24
.are designed for operation with low headroom. These operate absolutely flat Without Cleaning and Grading

the aid of gravity. All sorting, stratification and material transportation take place
on the strength of a sharp forward thrust, which imparts motion to particles with a
missile: like trajectory, while the return stroke pulls the deck out from underneath
the bed. Effectiveness of these screens is higher because material is kept on the
screen for a longer. period in comparison to inclined screens.

Screen openings: Screens are generally constructed/by perforated sheet metal

or woven wire mesh. The openings in perforated metal sheets may be round, oblong
or triangular. The openings in wire mesh are square or rectangular. The size and
shape and their combination of the screens available in market are identified by
some trade numbers.

Perforated metal screens

i) Round openings: The round openings in a perforated sheet metal screen are
measured by the diameter (mm or in.) ofthe openings. For example, screen
has round perforation of 1 in. in diameter or 2 mm.
ii) Oblong openings: The oblong or slotted openings in a perforated sheet metal
screen are designated by two dimensions, the width and length of the opening
While mentioning oblong openings the dimension of width is listed first then
the length as 1.8 x 20 mm. Generally, the direction ofthe oblong opening is
kept in the direction of the grain flow over the screen.
iii) Triangular openings: There are two different systems used to measure.
triangular perforations. The most commonly used system is to mention the length
of earl side of the triangle in mm, it means, 9 mm triangle has 3 equal sides
each 9 mm long;
The second system is to mention openings according to the diameter in mm
that cap be inscribed inside the triangle. This system is identified by the letter
V as 9V, ,j OV etc .:

Wire mesh screens

o Square mesh: The square. openings in wire mesh are measured by the number
of openings per inch in each direction. A 9x 9 screen has 9 openings per inch.
ii) Rectangular mesh: the rectangular openings in wire mesh screens are
measured in the same way as square wiremesh screen. A 3 x 6 rectangular
wiremesh screen will have 3 openings per inch in one direction and 6 openings
per inch in the other direction. The rectangles formed by the wiremesh are
parallel to the direction of grain flow.
/

Effectiveness of screen: The screen effectiveness may be defined as the ability

of a screen in closely separating the feed into overflow and underflow according '\
to its size. If the screen functions properly, all material '0' would be in the overflow,
while all the material 'U'would be in the underflow. The materialsbalance in a
screening operation can be derived as follows:

If E = Effectiveness of screen
F = mass flow rate of feed, kg/hr
mf= mass fraction of material in feed
. m o = mass fraction of material in overflow
m = mass fraction of material in underflow .
11

o = feed in overflow
u = feed in underflow 25
Post Harvest Management Then
F=O+U
Fmf= Om o + Um 11

Therefore
0/ F = (mf - mJ / (mo - mu)
U / F = (m o - mf) / (m - m)
0 U

A common measure of screen effectiveness is the ratio of actual amount of over

size materials in the overflow to the amount of over size entering with the feed.
Thus,
E o = Om 0 / Fmf
and Eu = U(1 - m) / F (1- mf)
. Over all effectiveness E = Eo x E u

Substituting the values we get

(mf - m U ) (m
. 0
.- m) m 0 (1 - m U )
E='
, (m - In )2 (1 - m) m .
o u f

2.6 MANUAL AND MECHANICAL GRADING

Manual grading: Manual grading is usually based on size of the grain. Hand
operated screen cleaner is generally made of mild steel. The separation takes place'
due to difference in size of grain and foreign matter. The cleaner is operated by
- .
hanging on an elevated point with the help of ropes. Grain is fed on the screening
surface in batches. The screens can be changed as per grain is handled. The cleaner
is swung to and fro till all the grain is screened. The cleaned grain is retained by
the bottom sieve, which can be discharged. Impurities oflarger size stubbles, chaff
etc. are retained on top sieve. Down-stream from th~ bottom sieve consists of
dust, dirt, broken, and shrivelcd grain etc. this method used for grading small
quantities of grain.
I

Mechanical grading: In mechanical grading all moving parts ofthe machine are
operated by mechanical means. Grading machines can be designed based on
different properties of grain. These machines are used for high capacity handling
of grain. '

2.7 EFFICIENCY OF CLEANERS AND GRADERS

The cleaning efficiency for an air screen grain cleaner as suggested by the Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) is given below (IS 5817:1980)

E(F-G) (E-F)(l-G)
Cleaning Efficiency =
F (E - G)2 (1 -F)

Where
E = fraction of clean seed at clean seed outlet
F = fracti'on of clean seed in feed
G = fraction of clean seed at foreign matter outlet

Efficiency of cleaner and grader depends upon two factors as given below
26
1. Material factors 'Cleaning and Grading

2. Machine and operational factors.

. . /
1. Material factors: The various material factors that affect the efficiency of a
cleaner cum grader are as given below
a) Compaction or bed density
b) Particle size, shape and other properties
c) Distribution of various fraction sizes
d) Stickiness and abrasiveness
2. Machine and operational factors: Capacity and efficiency in screening
operation are closely related to each other. In cleaning operation, when the
rated capacity is increased, its efficiency decreased. Some of the machine and
operation factors that affect the efficiency of grader are as given below
a) Feedingmechanism
b) Size of screen surface
c) Grain bed depth
d) Shape of the opening
e) Percentage open (perforated) area
f) Aperture size
g) Stroke length
h) Angle of inclination
i) Vibration amplitude and frequency
j) Number of screens
k) Rate of forward travel
1) Air velocity
m) Screen cleaning mechanism

2.8 PNEUMATIC SEPARATORS

Pneumatic systems may be part of grain 'cleaning machines or they may be
independent units. They separate the fine impurities from the grains and grade them.
The working components of pneumatic systems include the blowers, separating
passages, settling chambers and dust separators.

Pneumatic systems are classified as (1) vertical or inclined, according, to the

direction of flow, (2) induced, forced or combined induced and forced (balanced)
flow according to the mode in which air enters the passage, (3) single or twin channel
according to the number of separating passages; and (4) open or closed cycle;
systems according to the mode of circulation of the air stream.

In induced flow systems the pressure 'developed in the passages is below

atmospheric while in forced flow systems this pressure is above 'atmospheric. In
the combined induced-forced balanced flow system two blowers are used of which
one forces the air in while the other inducts it. In open cycle system the air is blown
out to the surroundings after the contaminants separated from the·grains settle in
the chamber, in the closed cycle system the same volume of the air is circulated
through the machine. In the later case the dust loading of the surroundings greatly
decreases.
27
 Post Harvest Management
2.9 SPIRAL SEPARATORS
The spiral separator separates the grain as per their roundness. The main component
of the separator is a stationary, open screw conveyor standing on one end. The
mixture is fed at the top of the writ. The round materials. of the mixture pick up
speed as they slide or roll down the inclined surface until their centrifugal force
becomes sufficient enough to throw them in the outer helix, the non-round-materials
are caught in,the inner helix and are discharged tlrrough a separate spout.
.,
There is no moving part in the spiral separator. The rate of feeding is the only
adjustable component. The feeding should be Suchthat each grain rolls independently
for effective separation. The main limitation of the spiral separato is lack of
flexibility.

Separation of mustard, rapeseed, soybean, wild peas or other round seeds can
be performed from wheat, flax, oats etc. by this device. It is less versatile ,as
compared to other mechanical cleaners, but is simple, inexpensive and quite useful
for seed cleaning purposes.

2.10 CYCLONE SEPARATORS

The cyclone separator is a device for collecting the end product in processing
operations. It is most commonly used for collection of dust and wastes during
processing of grains. It can also be used with air screen cleaners to collect light
particles, which could b~ carried by air stream. The application of cyclone separator
is also made to separate out air borne material from the discharge of pneumatic
conveyor. In operation of the separator, the air and material both enter the cyclone
tangentially at the top of the separator where pressure drop occurs and aid forms
a vortex around the center ofthe chamber. The whirling air being lighter gets
collected at the center and is delivered out through the top opening. The heavier
materials slide down along the walls of the cyclone and are discharged at the
bottom.

2.11 LET US SUM UP

Cleaning and grading are most important post harvest operations undertaken to
remove foreign and undesirable materials from the threshed crops and grains. The
differences between crop material and the contaminants in physico-mechanical
properties are used to clean and grade grains. Number of machines has been
developed based on these properties of grains to clean and grade them. Other
properties like colour, magnetic properties and dielectric properties are also used
to grade the grains of high commercial value. Screening is the most important
operation and widely used method of cleaning and grading. Different types of
screens of various types of opening are used in cleaning operation. Screening in
combination with aerodynamic properties is widely used in most of air screen
cleaner graders. Efficiency of these machines depends upon material and machine
factors. Spiral and cyclone separators are two machines that do not require
mechanical power to run.

2.12 KEY WORDS

Cleaning Removal of foreign and undesirable matters .

from the desired grains/products.
28
Grading Classification of cleaned products into various Cleaning and Grading

quality fractions depending upon the various

. commercial values and other usage .
. ( ,
Sorting Separation of cleaned product into various
quality fractions that may be defined on the
basis of size, shape, density, texture and colour.
Scalping Removal of few large particles in an initial
process.
Screen cleaner/grader It performs the separation according to the size
alone.
Air-screen cleaner/grader The screens used in combination with air blast.
Aerodynamic Properties It includes critical velocity,drag coefficient and
sailing velocity.
Terminal velocity It is the velocity equal to the air velocity at
which a particle remains in suspended state in
a vertical pipe. .
Screening It is a meth~d of separating grain! seed intlf
two or more fractions according to size alone.
Effectiveness of screen Ability of a screen in closely separating the
feed into overflow and underflow according to
its size.

Check Your Progress

. N9te' a) Use the spaces given below for your answers .
. b) Check your answer with those given at the end of the unit.
1.' Define cleaning, grading and scalping.

. .
....................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................
. .
I

2. Name factors controlling the cleaning and grading operation of grains.

3. What is terminal velocity? How terminal velocity is correlated with drag

coefficient?
....................................................................................................................
'. ,

• ., ••• 0"' •••••••••• ~ ••••••••••••• '.' •••••••••••••••••••••••••• ' ••••••••• ' •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

.....................................................................................................................
. .

4. Differentiate perforated sheet and wire mesh screens.

· ,' ~ .
• ••••••••••••••.•••.•.•• ~ ••••••••.••• ~ ••••••••••• t. •.•.•.••••• ~ ••.•••••••••••••.••••••••••••••••.••••.•••••••.••• '.' •••••••.••••.•••

....................................................................................................................... 29
Post Harvest Management . 5.. What is screen effectiveness?
.......................................................................................................................

••••••• •••••• 0, •• 0 ••• 0 •••••••••••••••••• 0.0 •.• ,. ••• : ••.•.•••.•••••••••••••.••• 0 ••••.••••• 0 •.• 0 •••.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•••.•.•.•.•• O! •••• 0 ••.•.•.•.•.•.

6. Name material factors-that affect screening efficiency.'

........................................................... ~ .

.....................................................................................................................
. .

, .
....................................................................................................................
7. Classify pneumatic cleaning system and define them .
.....................................................................................................................
. . .

8. Name two machines that does not require moving parts and Writetheir working
principle. .
............................................................... , .~ : : .

,
.................... , ~ .
9. What is colour sorting and when it is used?
........................................................................................................................ .
............................................................ , , .

10. Name wor~g principles offollowing equipment

Air screen cleaner: ..................................................................•.......................
Gravity separator: , ..
Magnetic separator ~ . .
Destoner: '; .

2.13 SOME USEFUL REFERENCES

1. Sahay, KM. and Singh, KK 1994. Unit operations of Agricultural Processing.

VikasPublishing House Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
2. Bosoi, E.S., Vemiaev, O.Y., Smimov, B.G and Sultan-Shakh. 1990. Theory,
Construction and Calculations of Agricultural Machines: Volume-Il. Oxonian
Press Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
3. Potty, Y.H. and Mulky, MJ. Food Processing. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co.
Private Limited, New Delhi.
4. McCabe, W.L., Smith, lC. and Harriott, P. 1993. Unit operations of Chemical
Engineering. McGRAW-HllLInc., New York
30
 Cleaning and Grading
2.14 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

·1. Your answer should include the definitions of terms.'

2. ' Your answer should include physico-chemical, mechanical other properties of
I .. .
fuod. . .
3. Your answer should include definition oftenninal velocity and equation for it.
.4. Your answer should include usefulness, opening types and material type.
5. Your answer should
,
include definition and formula to calculate it. '
'

6. Your answer should include all factors that,affect screening:

7. Your answer should include all four systems and definitions.
8. Your answer should include spiral and cyclone separator.
9. Your answer should include mechanism of colour sorting and products
categories.
10. Name working principles of each machine.

I·

31